Horse-collar.



No. 857,594. PATENTBD JUNE 25, 1907i 0. W. CAMPBELL. v

HORSE COLLAR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1908.

CHARLES WILLIAM CAMPBELL, OF MACON, GEORGIA.-

HORSE-COLLAR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Tune 25, 1907.

Application filed May 2, 1906. Serial No. 314,835.

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES WILLIAM CAMPBELL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Macon, in the county of Bibb and State of Georgia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Horse-Collars,

and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention is more particularly an improved device or contrivancefor facilitating the fastening and unfastening of a horse collar aroundthe neck of a horse, and affording convenient means for easily varyingthe size of the collar to adjust the same to the horses neck or to fitdifferent horses, such adjustment being accomplished without impairingthe symmetry of the collar or changing the position of the topcollar-pad or upper portion of the collar which bears upon the horsesneck.

One preferred form or embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, it beingunderstood however that the invention is susceptible of embodiment inother forms and modification in respect to details. Without limitationtherefore to the specific embodiment illustrated, the invention willhereinafter be first fully described with reference to said drawings andmore particularly pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a horse collarembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged central vertical sectionthrough the upper portion of the collar, showing the same unfastened orseparated; this section being taken longitudinally through the collar,that is in a direction transverse of a horses neck. Fig. 3 is afragmentary central vertical section through the collar-pad, thissection being taken crosswise to that shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is aperspective view of the said collar-pad. Fig. 5 is an enlargedperspective view of one of the fastening devices carried by the freeends or points of the collar, for engaging in the lockstrap of thecollar-pad. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section, similar to Fig. 3, showinga different form of collar-pad and metal lockstrap. Fig. 7 is a planview of one of the half-portions of the upper part of the collarpad,showing the same made as an integral piece. Fig. 8 is a similar view ofthe opposite half-portion shown made of two pieces united together.

The collar A is separable or divided, either at its upper or lower end,and the points or free ends of the collar carry locking 0r fasteningdevices B adapted for adjustable engagement or connection with a metallockstrap 0 on a detachable collar-pad D. In the present illustration,the horse collar is shown separable or divided at the top, the inventionbeing applied to the upper end thereof, but the contrivance is equallyapplicable to the lower end of a collar which is separable or divided atthe bottom. In the case of a collar separable at the top, the collarpadD is of course shaped to straddle the neck of the horse and provide aneasy bearing, performing the regular functions of a collar-pad; while inthe case of a collar separable at the bottom, the pad would be shaped toconform to the throat or breast of the animal. Said collar pad D may beeither rolled, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, or it may be substantiallyor approximately flat in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 6. The rolledform or shape is preferable, for affording a more comfortable bearingupon the neck of the animal, the pad being rolled or turned upward bothforwardly and backwardly, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 4, where thepad is approximately saddle-shape in miniature.

The lock-strap C is an elongated strip or strap of thin metal, desirablysheet-metal, arranged preferably at approximately the middle of thecollar-pad, on its upper surface, and secured thereto in any suitablemanner, as by means of rivets, staples, or prongs cut from the metal ofthe strap itself and clenched in or to the material of the pad, or byother suitable and convenient means. Said metal lock-strap may extendpractically from end to end of the pad, as shown, or may be of a lesserrelative length if desired, though it is preferable that the strap be ofa length substantially co-extensive with the pad, not only forincreasing the range of adjustment, but also to more effectively braceand strengthen the pad. The lock-strap, which is raised above thesubjacent portion of the pad, is provided with a series of holes orapertures a, there being preferably an equal number of such holes ateach inclined side of the pad, and the corresponding holes at each sidebeing preferably spaced at substantially equal distances from the centerof the pad; it being understood. of course that this precision is notessential, but is desirable for increasing the perfection of the deviceand obtaining greater accuracy in adjustment and setting of the collar.These holes 0, which are shown as oblong holes extending crosswise ofthe metal lock-strap, are designed for engagement by the fastening orlooking devices B, carried by the points or free ends of the collar, asbefore mentioned.

In the case of a rolled collar-pad, as shown in Figs. 1, 2,- 3 and 4.,the construction is preferably as follows: The upper surface of the padconsists of two pieces or half-portions (1 and d of leather or othersuitable material, secured upon the bottom piece or under pad portion d,which latter may also be of leather, or of felt, cloth or any desiredand appropriate material. The adjacent or inner edges of said pieces orhalf-portions d and d are separated, leaving a space along the middle ofthe pad under the oblong holes or perforations in the metal lock-strap,said lock-strap being flat and having its edges secured to the saidinner or adjacent edges of the pieces (1 and (1 By this means, recessesare provided under the perforated lock-strap, to allow the fasteningdevices B to engage therein, under the lock-strap. The said upperhalf-parts or pieces d and (i when out for constructing the pad, arecurved or approximately crescentshaped, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.Hence, when the several parts of the pad are assembled and connect edtogether, the inner or confronting concave edges of these parts d and (ibeing secured to the opposite edges of the lock-strap will cause the padto roll upwardly at oppo site sides of the loclcstrap, as shown in thedrawings, and will effectually retain this form, preventing sagging ormashing down fiat in use. This rolled shape of the pad is furtherpromoted by constructing the under portion (1 of the pad in twohalf-parts having curved or concave edges joined by a medial seam, asindicated at d in Fig. 2, said seam running crosswise. of thelock-strapv Referring again to the top pieces (2 and d these may consistof integral pieces of leather or material, as shown in Fig. 7 or eachmay consist of two pieces stapled or otherwise joined together as inFig. 8; the latter form being preferred for economy of construction,since it enables the parts to be made from scraps.

In the case of a fiat pad, as shown in Fig. 6, the upper surface (i ofthe pad may be continuous, and the lock-strap C may be rolled or upset,as indicated at c, to raise the perforated portion of the lock-strapsufficiently above the surface of the pad.

The fastening or latching devices B consist of metal pieces or catchesZ1 adapted to enter the holes a in the metal lock-strap C and then to beturned therein for engaging the under surface of the metal lock-strap.They are pivotally attached to thin plates or clips I), which areriveted or otherwise secured to the ends or points of the collar, andthe pivots or axes of said locking pieces are provided with smallangle-shaped levers 1), adapted for engagement by the thumb or fingerofa person for manipulating the looking pieces. These angle-shaped leversb are so disposed that they extend forwardly when the latches are inlooking position in the lock-strap, as shown in Fig. 1, and therebyprovide abutments for holding the hames from working forward and jumpingout of the hameholt. In this position, the latches are securely held bythe hames, so that there is no possibility of unlatchingv The latchesare of suitable form to pass through the holes in one position of thefinger-pieces, and to catch under the strap in the locking position ofsaid finger-pieces, being shown as oblong to pass through the oblongholes and then to be turned crosswise for engaging under the lock-strap.Any suitable form of holes and latches may of course be adopted; such asappropriate eccentrically-pivoted latches and corresponding holes.

Referring to the operation of the device, it will be observed that thecollar-pad D with the metallock-strap Cis arranged at the separable ordivided end of the collar (at the top in the present illustration), thepoints or free ends of the collar being arranged to overlie the oppositeinclined sides of the pad, and the latches b engaged in the metallockstrap, in the manner already stated. The latch at each side of thepad should of course be engaged in a recess corresponding to thatengaged by the latch at the other side of the pad, in order to preservethe symmetrical form of the collar and have the pad bear directly uponthe top of the horses neck, and fit comfortably. To detach the collarfrom the horse, it is simply necessary to turn one of the latches so asto disengagelfrom the metal lockstrap, whereupon the collar can beseparated and easily withdrawn off the neck of the animal, asrepresented in Fig. 2. To adjust or vary the size of the collar, inorder to fit the horses neck, or to fit different animals, it is merelynecessary to engage the latches in different recesses of the metallockstrap. Both the fastening and the unfastening of the collar, and theadjustment thereof, are thus very conveniently performed, by this simplecontrivance. As before noted, when the latches are in looking position,the finger pieces extend forwardly and upwardly, providing an abutmentfor the hames, and the latches are thus securely held in lookingposition, without possibility of unlatching Moreover, the engagementbetween the latches and the lock-strap holds the collar-pad firmly inposition, preventing the pad working out of place and chafing theanimal.

For preventing the collar-pad from falling from the collar when not inuse, the pad is preferably provided with a spring E, as shown in Figs. 1and 4, this spring being arranged to engage the rim of the collar, andserve as a clip for holding the pad in place. Hence should the latchesbecome detached, when handling the collar off the horse, the

' spring will hold the pad and prevent its dropping oif.

The device described is applicable for attachment to all ordinarycollars, making the use general, and it will be observed that thelatches can be manipulated simply by pressure of the fingers, withoutthe use of any tools, which is both simple and convenient.

In this application, I make no specific claim to the collar pad per 86,since the same is shown, described and claimed in my copendingapplication, Serial No. 345,628, filed Nov. 30, 1906.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. The combinationof a separable or divided collar. carrying pivoted latches at its freeends, and a collar pad arranged at the divided portion of the collar andoverlapped by the ends thereof, and a longitudinally-arranged metallock-strap on said pad provided with holes therein for engagement bysaid latches, the latter comprising pintles having outside finger-piecesand inside foot-pieces so disposed on said pintles as to enter saidholes in one position and to engage and lock under the lock-strap whenturned to another position.

2. In a horse collar, the combination of a divided or separable collar,a pad arranged between the ends of the collar, a metal lockstrap onsaid'pad having a series of holes therein, the surface of the strapbeing above the subjacent portion of the pad, and pivoted latchescarried by the ends of the collar adapted to enter said holes and whenturned to engage the under side of the lock-strap.

3. In a horse collar, the combination of a separable or divided collar,a collar-pad arranged between the ends thereof, a metal lock-straparranged and secured longitudinally of the pad, said lock-strap having aseries of oblong holes therein, the perforated portion of the lock-strapbeing above the subjacent portion of the pad, pivoted latches carried bythe ends of the collar adapted to enter said holes and to be turned forengaging the under side of the lock-stra and finger pieces attached tosaid latches or manipulating the same, said finger pieces adapted to beengaged by the hames for holding the latches in looking position.

4. The combinationwith the padhaving a perforated lock-strap, of thedivided or separable collar having its free ends adapted to overlie thepad and provided with latches to engage said lock-strap, said latchescomprising pintles provided with inside foot-pieces disposed so as toenter said holes in one position and when turned to engage under thelock-strap, and provided with the outside angle-shaped finger pieces 1)adapted to extend toward the front of the collar when the latches are inlocking position, whereby said finger pieces are adapted to be engagedby the harness strap to hold the harness from slipping forward and tohold the latches locked, substantially as described.

5. In combination with an adjustable collar of the character describedcarrying latches at its points, a rolled collar-pad comprising an underpad portion and two upper pieces secured thereon and separated atopposite sides of the medial line, leaving a longitudinal space betweensaid upper pieces, and a metal lock-strap secured on the pad over saidspace and provided with'holes for engage? ment by latches.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES WILLIAM CAMPBELL.

Witnesses:

L. D. MooRE, R. V. HARDEMAN.

